The Weekly Habit: Reading in Bed
So how did making your beds go? Though, I had read somewhere that a minority percentage of we Americans make our bed every morning, it seems that many of our readers already do. And their effusive praise for the making of one’s bed helped me stick to this habit for one full week, even though there were mornings that I woke up both rushed and exhausted. I never got to the optional mints portion of last week’s habit, but I did like coming home to a made bed. And funnily enough, it actually helped me get more work done, because I didn’t want to unmake the bed until I was ready to go to sleep. Hence, no more “I’ll just lie down for 5 minutes” — only to wake up hours later.
Consider this habit KEPT.
This week’s habit was inspired by Howard Leder’s “Belly of the Whale” blogumn from last week. Basically there are people that believe that our hours of internet surfing are actually changing the way we process information and making it more difficult for us to concentrate on reading.
As a former at-least-two-book-a-weeker, this makes me sad for all of us. So this week’s modest proposal is that we all take 20 minutes out of our busy days and read a book. I know finding 20 minutes seems hard, but it is definitely doable. I waste at least 20 minutes a day, obsessively pouring over our FaN Google Analytics — a bad habit that I’ve forsworn in order to make time for this new habit.
I’ve posted my top recommendations for good reads in Sidebar 2. Some other suggestions for other fierce and nerdy books: Garden Spells and Freakonomics. I realize that I’m low on suggestions in nonfiction and some other kinds of literature, so if you have some further recommendations for good reads, please post them in the comments.
Book Habit Guidelines after the jump:
This Week’s Habit:
Read a book for 20 minutes every day
What You’ll Need:
A book. See sidebar 2 and comments for suggestions, but you probably already have one that you’ve been meaning to read on your shelf, right?
Start Date:
Tuesday, September 16th
End Date:
Monday, September 22nd
Further Suggestion:
Don’t be afraid to cart your book around with you. Chances are that you’ll be kept waiting for something or someone this week, so you might as well enjoy yourself while you wait.
.
My friend Michael Wandmacher challenged me to read 30 minutes a day recently which I started doing. It really helps ground me. He does it to keep him human.
My friend Michael Wandmacher challenged me to read 30 minutes a day recently which I started doing. It really helps ground me. He does it to keep him human.
You KNOW I will have something to say about this, living in the MOST LITERATE CITY EVER! But, yes, this is a habit I need to do–just like how I make my bed every morning! I’ve been reading “Kitchen Confidential” for a month now. It really shouldn’t be so hard….
You KNOW I will have something to say about this, living in the MOST LITERATE CITY EVER! But, yes, this is a habit I need to do–just like how I make my bed every morning! I’ve been reading “Kitchen Confidential” for a month now. It really shouldn’t be so hard….
An unusual non-fiction book I recently read was _Self Made Man: One Woman’s Journey into Manhood and Back_ by Norah Vincent. It’s a fascinating look at culture and gender in modern America by a woman who spent a year living as a man. You can also listen to an NPR interview with the author online at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5171860.
An unusual non-fiction book I recently read was _Self Made Man: One Woman’s Journey into Manhood and Back_ by Norah Vincent. It’s a fascinating look at culture and gender in modern America by a woman who spent a year living as a man. You can also listen to an NPR interview with the author online at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5171860.
I’m in love with Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl (non-fiction). Stories from a former New York Times food critic that dressed up as different people so she could eat out the way we all eat out; without special treatment. You can taste the food she describes…really. This is a great summer read for a foodie or someone that wants to be a foodie. Has some amazing recipes in it too!
I’m in love with Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl (non-fiction). Stories from a former New York Times food critic that dressed up as different people so she could eat out the way we all eat out; without special treatment. You can taste the food she describes…really. This is a great summer read for a foodie or someone that wants to be a foodie. Has some amazing recipes in it too!
Many of my co-workers listen to audio books for their reading. At first it seemed boring but then I drove to St. Louis from North Carolina and listened to “Welcome to the World Baby Girl!” by the lady the wrote Fried Green Tomatoes. That was such an interesting experience and made the trip so much faster! I have now gotten through “Angels and Demons” and am in the middle of “The Life of Pi”. I wanted to check out “The Audacity of Hope” but the waiting list IS STILL LONG! The waiting list was long for the book – I didn’t think the audio book would also be in high demand (I guess it didn’t win an Emmy for nothing)!
Anyway, I sometimes feel like its cheating but its so convenient and is helping me with my 2008 goal of reading 2 books a month (I’m behind by 10 books). I’ll start actually reading books with your call to action… I promise! I used to be a great reader when I was younger and felt so much sharper than I do now.
Many of my co-workers listen to audio books for their reading. At first it seemed boring but then I drove to St. Louis from North Carolina and listened to “Welcome to the World Baby Girl!” by the lady the wrote Fried Green Tomatoes. That was such an interesting experience and made the trip so much faster! I have now gotten through “Angels and Demons” and am in the middle of “The Life of Pi”. I wanted to check out “The Audacity of Hope” but the waiting list IS STILL LONG! The waiting list was long for the book – I didn’t think the audio book would also be in high demand (I guess it didn’t win an Emmy for nothing)!
Anyway, I sometimes feel like its cheating but its so convenient and is helping me with my 2008 goal of reading 2 books a month (I’m behind by 10 books). I’ll start actually reading books with your call to action… I promise! I used to be a great reader when I was younger and felt so much sharper than I do now.
mmmmm, I love this habit! Can’t wait to get started!! I have noticed that I spend more time on the net than with my head buried in a book. I used to read at least two a week. Now it’s a lousy, ugly zero :-( …but not for long!
mmmmm, I love this habit! Can’t wait to get started!! I have noticed that I spend more time on the net than with my head buried in a book. I used to read at least two a week. Now it’s a lousy, ugly zero :-( …but not for long!
Like Yolanda, I have become and audio book listener…
Perhaps it doesn’t ‘count’ as reading…but I have over an hour commute each way to work…and without public transportation in LA…listening is as close to reading as I am going to get.
I started simply with Steve Martin’s autobiography: “Born Standing Up” – what a treat to hear Martin read it himself..and play the banjo. The,n I listened to him read his novella: “The Pleasure of My Company.”
Then, I hit the library and to see what they have in stock (though limited in audio books in general…and even MORE limited on CD – I always find something)
Really loved “The Lovely Bones”
And I’ve been working on some classics that I never ‘had’ to read: Enjoyed “The Count of Monte Cristo” more than “The 3 Musketeers,” – I loved Jim Dale’s reading of “Around the World in 80 Days.” Had to turn off “Moby Dick” – there is a limit to how many facts about whaling I can absorb in rush hour.
And now I’m listening to “Frankenstein”
Like Yolanda, I have become and audio book listener…
Perhaps it doesn’t ‘count’ as reading…but I have over an hour commute each way to work…and without public transportation in LA…listening is as close to reading as I am going to get.
I started simply with Steve Martin’s autobiography: “Born Standing Up” – what a treat to hear Martin read it himself..and play the banjo. The,n I listened to him read his novella: “The Pleasure of My Company.”
Then, I hit the library and to see what they have in stock (though limited in audio books in general…and even MORE limited on CD – I always find something)
Really loved “The Lovely Bones”
And I’ve been working on some classics that I never ‘had’ to read: Enjoyed “The Count of Monte Cristo” more than “The 3 Musketeers,” – I loved Jim Dale’s reading of “Around the World in 80 Days.” Had to turn off “Moby Dick” – there is a limit to how many facts about whaling I can absorb in rush hour.
And now I’m listening to “Frankenstein”
I, too, listen to audio books in the car, but unlike Jessica, I’m not bothering with the classics. I usually pre-order everything online at the library based on my Amazon/B&N recommendations or good buzz. Then I pick every thing up when I go to the library. I don’t even browse anymore.
But I don’t think there should be a stigma attached to audio books. Stephen King actually put forward that we actually read BETTER when we listen to audio books, b/c we don’t skim and we digest every word. And I agree.
Yolanda, you should try “My Soul To Keep” by Tananarive Due. It’s ONLY available on audio through the library, and though the reader is a little monotone, the story is edge of your seat, and interesting to me as a black married woman, b/c it asks the question, what if your perfect husband had this whole other secret life. Very good and it hooks you from like page 1.
Delia and Emily, you both listed books that I’d forgotten that I wanted to read. I’m going to download them on my Kindle.
Haha ^^ nice, is there a section to follow the RSS feed
Haha ^^ nice, is there a section to follow the RSS feed